The L&T Mumbai Open qualifiers would be held on October 27 and 28 while the main draw matches will commence on October 29

Mumbai : 'Maharashtra has been in the forefront where promoting tennis is concerned and the L&T Mumbai Open will give our own players another opportunity to compete on the world stage. I thank the Cricket Club of India for the wonderful infrastructure provided to this event and am confident that the players will take back wonderful memories from the event, Said Amruta Fadnavis.

The 2nd edition of the L&T Mumbai Open WTA $125K Series, which will be organized by the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), to be played at the CCI courts from October 27 to November 4, 2018.

This was announced by Ms Amruta Fadnavis, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee at a press conference, in the presence of Ms Pallavi Darade, IRS, Organizing Secretary, Tournament Directors Mr. Prashant Sutar and MSLTA Secretary Mr. Sunder Iyer.

The Indian challenge will be spearheaded by Ankita Raina, who won the hearts of the tennis fans when she reached the quarter finals last year.

“L&T has had a tradition of supporting sporting events in the country and we are delighted to continue partnering MSLTA for a second year to bring serious tennis back to India,” said Mr. P Niranjana, Vice President & Head Special Projects & Bridges, L&T Construction. “The L&T Open presents a wonderful platform for lady players from India to compete with some of the best in the world and that will only do the game a world of good,” he added.

Speaking to reporters, Amruta Fadnavis said, “We got a huge response last year because of the joint effort put in by the organisers and the government officials working behind the scene. This year we have set even higher standards and a grand stage has been prepared to welcome the world’s leading women players.

Ankita Raina, who won the hearts of the tennis fans with her gutsy display last year, which saw her reach the quarter-finals has made it to the main draw. Sabine Lisickiis a former World No.2, who was Wimbledon singles runner-up in 2013, losing to Marion Bartoli, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2011 and has four WTA titles to her credit.

The Main Draw of the event will feature 32 players, from 19 countries, from which 22 players get a direct entry, with four players emerging from the qualifying rounds and four players being awarded wild cards.

The winner of the event will get US$ 20,000 and 160 WTA points, the finalist will get US$ 11,000 and 95 points, the semi-finalists will get US$ 6,000 and 57 points and the quarter-finalists US$ 4,000 and 29 points. Round of 16 entrants will get US$ 2,000 and 15 points, while the main draw entry into the event will fetch US$ 1,050 and 1 point.

'Mumbai Open will give our own players opportunity to compete on the world stage'Description:The L&T Mumbai Open qualifiers would be held on October 27 and 28 while the main draw matches will commence on October 29Times Now